Shirt packaging device



Jan. 11, 1949,

w. w. MsFALL 2,458,998

SHIRT PACKAGING DEVICE A Filed Nov. 9. 1945 JNVENTOK Patented Jan. 11, 1949 uiuTTJ-D STAT-Es PATENT William`W. McFall, River Forest, y Application November 9, 1945, Serial No. 627,698

This invention pertain to improvements in a shirt packaging device of the type employed by laundry establishments.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel shirt packaging device adapted to enclose and protect the collar of a man's collar-attached shirt in a sturdy manner resistant to crushing pressures applied during handling. k 'n A still further object'is to provide a packaging device including a shirt reinforcing base or backing panel and a collar protective panel spaced vertically above the backing panel to overlie the shirt collar, in association. with ay separate collar bracing formoperativelyconnected to the collarprotecting panel in a manner to unite the two parts of the device into a rigid protective unit safeguarding the collar from crushing, andv in addition enabling a plurality of thus packaged shirts to be stacked in staggered order for quick and easy wrapping into a package which is strongly rein-` forced at its ends against damage from mishandling.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a generalway yof. the nature of the inventionbut other and more specific objects will be apparent to those skilled in'the art upon a full understanding ofthe construction and operation of the device.

One embodiment of theinvention is presented herein for the purpose of exemplification, but it will be appreciated that' the invention is susceptible of incorporation in other modified forms coming equally within the scope of the appended claims.

Inthe drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal` section illustrating a shirt positioned on a well known type of packaging table for a folding operation, during which the device of my invention is initially associated with the shirt;

Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating thebacking sheet constituting a part of the packaging unit of the invention; g

Fig. 2-a is a planview illustrating the collar supporting and locking element of the packaging unit;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, illustrating one element of the packaging device or unit in final operative position, the remaining element having been arbitrarily omitted for clarity of Showing;

" Fig. liis a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the unit partially applied to the shirt; and Fig. is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the parts of the unit following final 'folding from the position of Fig. 4.` n

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 I conventionally illustrate a well known type of shirt wrapping bench or table, such as is in comnion use in laundry establishments for the foldingoi mensv 9 claims. (ci. 22a-K1) shirts. This comprises a flat table surface II) having a de pression or well II therein adaptedto receive the neckbandor collar of the shirt, which is generallyV designated I2. The rtable has pivoted thereto an elongated rectangular metal form I3 of aluminum or the like, andin the normal use of a folding device the shirt is positioned face; downward on the table surface Iwith the lcollar thereof extending downwardlyinto the well II, after which theform I3 is hingedly depressed onto the shirt. The sides `ofthe shirtbody and sleeves are then folded upwardly and inwardly ont'o the form and held in this 'assembled relation by pins and/ora paper wrapper initially disposed on the table beneath the shirt. i In case a stiffening or backing sheet is to be applied to the shirt prior to folding of the body and sleeves as described, this sheet is initially disposed in a hook-shaped element orA elements I4 on the under surface of the form I3, to be lowered ontothe shirt coincidentallyv withthe pivoting of said form. This type of equipment is widely employed in laundries, and will be normally availed of in the first step of assemblynof the wrapping device ofvthis invention with ia` shirt. l i

Referring to Figs. 2 and 2-a, wherein I illustrate the component parts 'of the device, the yreference numeral I5 designates a rectangular sheet member of a suitable grade of paper board which is transversely creased or scored along parallel lines I6, I1 to subdivide the same into a rectangular base or backing panely I8, a rear wall I9 and a top collar-protecting panel 20. It will `be understood that the member I5 is fabricated using a suitable die, which additionally has provision to form a generally triangular opening 2I in the panel 20. A pair of foldabletabs 22 are disposed adjacent the two rearmost sides of this triangular opening inrtheflatcondition'of sheet I5, being hinged to the panel 20 on -short creased fold lines 23 and separated therefrom by pairs of slits 24, 24

and 25, 25. rThe tabs 22 are separated from one another by the further slit 26 between the midpoint of thepair ofy slits 25, 25, and the apex of the triangular opening 2|. In use, these tabs are intended to be folded downwardly at right angles to theplane of the panel 20. l

The second element ofthe device is illustrated in Fig. 2'a being designated generally by the reference numeral 21. This functions as a collar supporting element for the shirt and also as a lock releasably holding the two components of the device in operative position. The element 21 is `stamped from paper board similar to the sheet I5 to provide a collar brace portion 21'- havingl a. vpair. of curved, laterally extending wings `28, a spaced locking and supporting or strutportion 29also having laterally extending supporting wings 30, and a central connecting portion 3l extending between .the collar brace 21' 3 i at the juncture of wings 28 and the further porband by the depending tabs 22. Needless to say, tion 29, being bendably connected to the brace the collar is well shielded from soilage. and strut portions by creased foldlines 20', 90" This completes the operations attending the respectively. This cduneting Ddrtion 3l is of application of the device to a shirt resulting in a substantial dimension transversely of the length package having a rectangular end. A plurality of the wings 29, 90, so as to afford a substantial of shirt packages of this type may be assembled in ledge locating the portion 29 well to the rear complemental end for end reversed and staggered, of the collar bracing wings 2l in the operative stacked relation toprovideapile having rectanguassembled condition of the device, to be described. lar ends which lends itself admirably to wrapping In use. the sheet 'I5 is positioned on the swingl0 in an outer wrapping sheet. This results in a able form I3, with the panel 20 engaged in the built-up package which is comparatively rigid at hooi: member or members I 4 thereon. With a its ends and thereby resistant to crushing or disshirt disposed on table i in the manner illus-A tortion, and which is well adapted for stacked Hated in Fig- 1, the form and sheet are sWung display or storage on shelves and for stacking for downwardly, and the shirt body and sleeves wrapdelivery, ped therearound and secured in the conventional I claim: fashion. The form I9 and encasing shirt are then 1. In a shirt packaging device, a generally swung upwardly and the shirt and sheet slipped rectangular sheet member of nexlble nbrous longitudinally oil' the metal form Il. The sheet i5 material adapted to be'subdlvlde'd along parallel is then slid longitudinally outwardly past the .colab lines of fold into a backing panel adapted to be lar of the shirt until the inner fold line i6 ls appositioned adjacent the back of a shirt, a rear proximately coincidentr with the rear portion of wall and a collar protecting panel, and a collar the shirt neckband i2. 1 supporting and locking member insertable be- NeXt, the end panel 2D and rear wall I9 are tween the collar and neckband of the shirt having folded upwardly on the fold line i6 `and the panel 25 a pairof bracing wings, said rear wall and panel is then folded forwardly 0n line I7 placing being foldable along said lines tobring the prothe same parallel to backing Panel i8 over the top tecting panel into position over the collar in of the shirt collar. With the parts in this conparallelism with the backing panel, said protectdition,'or immediately prior 'to the folding of the ing panel having an opening therein and tabs panel 20 and rear wall i9, the second element 21 30 hingedly connected to the margin of the opening is associated with the collar' by slipping the wings to fold downwardly in said opening relative to said 28 thereof underneath the collar, between the protecting panel, said supporting and locking same and the shirt neckband. Then, with -the member being positioned adjacent said protecting panel 20 overlying the shirt collar, in the position panel and forwardly of said opening therein when ci' the parts illustrated in Fig. 4, the element 21 :i5 inserted between said collar and neckband, said is folded first online to bring the connecting bracing wings being swingable rearwardly relaportion 3i over the end of the panel 29, then tive to said protecting panel and downwardly downwardly on line 30 to bring the portion 29 through said opening and being flexible outwardly thereof into the triangular opening 2i. This beneath said protecting panel to lock the memslmultaneously swings the tabs 22 downwardly 40 bers into retaining engagement therewith. around their fold lines 23 into a vertical position, 2. In a shirt packaging device, a generally likewise bending the wings l0 of the portion 29 rectangular sheet member of ilexible brous mateinwardly to an arcuate form, as said wings brush rial adapted to be subdivided along parallel lines downwardly past tabs 22. Fig. 3 illustrates the of fold into a backing panel adapted to be posinal position of the tabs 22, the locking element tioned adjacent the back of a shirt, a rear wall 21 having been omitted entirely` from this view and a collar protecting panel, Aand a collar supfor clarity of illustration. porting and locking member having collar sus- Upon completion of the last mentioned operataining wings lnsertable between the collar and tion, the wings 30 will pass underneath the side neckband of the shirt and having a pair of margins of the opening in panel 2li immediately 50 bracing wings` spaced from said collar sustaining adjacent the slits 24, and, by their inherent wings, said rear wall and panel being foldable resiliency, snap outwardly underneath the panel along said lines to bring the protecting panel at that point to lock the parts against inadvertent into position over the collar in parallelism with displacement, finally reaching a position behind the backing panel, said supporting and locking or inwardly of and generally parallel to the downmember being positioned adjacent said protectturned tabs 22. In this ilnal position, illustrated ling panel and forwardly of said opening therein in Fig'. 5, the Wings 30 extend vertically in the when inserted between said collar and neckband, manner of struts between the lower side of the said protecting panel having an opening therein panel 29 and the back of the shirt, braced by and tabs hingedly connected to the margin of the the backing sheet I8. Due `to this rigid support 00 opening to fold downwardly in said opening relaby wings tu, in conjunction with the vertical suptive to said protecting panel. said supporting and port afforded by the rear wall i9, the collar is locking member being positioned adjacent said eiectively protected against vertical crushing protecting panel and forwardly of said opening loads. 'I'he locking tabs 22 may or may not be when said sustaining wings are inserted between of sumcient vertical extent in folded condition a" said collar and neckband, said bracing wings to engage the shirt similarly, so as to further being swingable rearwardly relative to said pro'- this support. testing panel and downwardly through said open- The forward collar bracing wings 29 serve to ing and being flexible outwardly beneath said sustain the collar effectively, providing a still protecting panel to lock the members in operafurther measure of vertical support between the 0 tive relation into retainingl engagement therecollar itself and the neckband. At least a doublewith, ply thickness of paper board is disposed vertically 3. In a shirt packaging device, a generally adjacent the forward portion of the collar neckrectangular sheet member of flexible fibrous band, to act as a vertical strut at that point the material adapted to be subdivided along parallel wings 20 being spaced rearwardly from the neck- '5 lines of fold into a backing panel adapted to be positioned adjacent the back of a shirt, a rear wall and a collar protecting panel, and a collar supporting and locking member insertable between the collar and neckband of the shirt having a pair of bracing wings, said rear wall and panel being foldable along said lines to bring the protecting panel into position over the collar in parallelism with the backing panel, said protecting panel having an opening therein and tabs hingedly connected to the margin of the opening to fold downwardly in said opening relative to said protecting panel, said bracing wings being swingable rearwardly relative to said protecting panel and downwardly through said opening and being flexible outwardly beneath said protecting panel to lock the members in operative relation into retaining engagement therewith, said bracing wings being of adequate width to engage and sustain crushing load between said last named panel and backing panel.

4. In a shirt packaging devise, a generally rectangular sheet member of flexible fibrous material adapted to be subdivided along parallel lines of fold into a backing panel adapted to be disposed against the back of a shirt, a rear wall and a collar protecting panel, and a locking member having means insertable between the collar and neckband of the shirt and a pair of divergent locking arms, said rear wall and panel being foldable along said lines to bring the panel over the collar parallel to the backing panel, said protecting panel having an opening therein, said locking member being positioned adjacent said protecting panel and forwardly of said opening, with said means inserted between said collar and neckband, and said locking arms being swingable rearwardly relative to said protecting panel and downwardly through said opening, said locking arms being adapted to flex outwardly beneath and into engagement with said protecting panel to lock the members in operative relation.

5. In a shirt packaging device, a generally rectangular sheet member of` flexible nbrous material adapted to be subdivided along parallel lines of fold into a backing panel adapted to be disposed against the back of a shirt, a rear wall and a collar protecting panel, and a locking member having means insertable between the collar and neckband of the shirt and a pair of divergent locking arms, said rear wall and panel being foldable along said lines to bring the panel over the collar parallel to the backing panel, said protecting panel having an opening therein, said locking member being positioned adiacent said protecting panel and forwardly of said opening, with said means inserted between said collar and neckband, and said locking arms being swingable rearwardly relative to said protecting panel and downwardly through said opening, said locking arms being adapted to ex outwardly including sustaining means insertable between the collar and neckband of the shirt and a pair of locking elements, said rear wall and panel being foldable along said lines to bring the protecting panel over the collar, said protecting panel having an opening therein and having tabs hingedly connected thereto to fold downwardly in said opening, said supporting and locking member being positioned adjacent said protecting panel and forwardly of saidopening, with said sustaining means inserted between said collar and neckband, said locking elements being bendable rearwardly relative to said protecting panel and downwardly through said opening into operative position adjacent said tabs and having locking engagement with the sheet member in that position.

7. A shirt packaging device comprising a shirt engaging board including 4a panel positionable in overlying relation to the collar and neckband of a collar-attached shirt, said panel having an opening therein adapted to register with said neckband in said overlying relation, and an element predeterminedly positionable relative to a side of said opening and to the shirt neckband by engagement between the collar and neckband thereof, said element including a portion which is foldable over said neckband and into said opening and has locking engagement with said board in the thus folded condition thereof.

8. A shirt packaging device comprising a shirt engaging board including a panel positionable in overlying relation to the collar and neckband of a collar-attached shirt, said panel having an opening therein adapted to register with said neckband in said overlying relation and having elements bendably connected thereto at the margin of said opening which are positionable within and adjacent the shirt neckband, and an element predeterminedly positionable relative to a side of saidI opening and to the shirt neckband by engagement between the collar and neckband thereof, said last named element including a portion which 1s foldable over said neckband and into said opening to be adjacent said first named elements and has locking engagement with said board in the thus folded condition thereof.

9. A packaging device for a collar-attached shirt comprising a shirt board having a neckband covering and protecting panel which overlies the shirt neckband and is apertured in a zone beneath and into engagement with said protecting panel to lock the members in operative relation, said arms being of sufficient width to engage said last named panel and transmit vertical load thereon to the backing panel.

6. In a shirt packaging device, a generally rectangular sheet member of flexible fibrous material subdivided by parallel fold lines into a backing panel, a rear wall and a c'oliar protecting panel, and a collar supporting and locking 7 member separate from said rst named member,

overlying said shirt neckband when the board and panel are operatively positioned relative to a shirt, and a support separate from said board which is xedly engageable with the shirt adiacent said panel and between the shirt collar and neckband, said support being foldable relative to said panel into the aperture in the 'latter into retaining engagement with the shirt board.

` WILLIAM W. MCFALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,879,918 Steele Sept. 27, 1932 2,014,097 Alter et al. Sept, 10, 1955 2,120,466 Hiss June 14, 1938 2,266,115 Beckman Dec. 16, 1941` 

